The Youth Study Center is a youth detention center where teenagers are incarcerated because they have broken the law in one way or the other. They’re awaiting trial or sentencing, which will probably include a stay at some facility in the state of Pennsylvania.
Over the years, I’ve taken Eagles players there to talk to the youngsters and give them advice about how to get their lives together. Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant was kind of enough to come over there with me and talk to the youngsters. He had a huge affect upon them by telling his life story.
Avant talked about his childhood of growing up in the crime and drug infested streets of Chicago and the miraculous way he was able to escape. The Birds slot receiver tells about being under the influence of drug-dealing cousins. He talks about selling drugs and carrying a gun as a seventh grader.
He speaks about turning his life around by accepting Jesus Christ into his life, then going to the University of Michigan and getting drafted by the Eagles.
It’s an inspirational story which embodies elements of life that many of the youngsters at the Youth Study Center have experienced. Avant tells thousands of kids throughout the Delaware Valley his story and it’s motivated many of them to change for the better.
Most of Avant’s Philadelphia Eagles teammates are aware of Avant’s story. Many of them have been positively influenced by Avant strong faith and consistent encouragement..
Yesterday the Eagles announced that Avant was named the team’s 2010 Ed Block Courage Award recipient.
Each year, the Ed Block Courage Award honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. They are selected in a vote by their teammates for team effort as well as individual performance.
Originally a fourth-round pick in 2006, Avant has been one of the Eagles most reliable and consistent offensive players, improving his reception total in each of his five seasons in Philadelphia. He has also established himself as one of the top third-down receivers in the league, converting 45 of his 52 (86.3%) career third-down catches for first downs.
Off the field, Avant is known as a mentor to many of the young players on the team, as well as one of the most active athletes in the Philadelphia community. He is a spokesperson for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization and an advocate for increasing male mentorship within the program. Among many other community efforts, he has led several youth football clinics and is also involved with various church youth groups.
A native of Chicago, IL, Avant endured a difficult upbringing in which he was exposed to gangs, drugs and violence, but credits his late grandmother, Lillie, for instilling values in him at an early age and leading him down the right path. For an in-depth look into Avant’s childhood and life, click here to read a feature story written by CSNPhilly.com’s Reuben Frank.
Previous Eagles award winners:
Michael Vick (2009), Jon Dorenbos (2008), Montae Reagor (2007), Jerome McDougle (2006), Chad Lewis (2005), Derrick Burgess (2004), Correll Buckhalter (2003), Shawn Barber (2002), Duce Staley and Tommy Brasher (2001), Cecil Martin (2000), Mike Mamula (1999), Bobby Taylor (1998), Rhett Hall (1997), Kevin Turner (1996), Charlie Garner (1995), Fred Barnett (1994), Andre Waters (1993), Jerome Brown (1992), David Alexander (1991), Ron Solt (1990), Mike Quick (1989), Wes Hopkins (1988), Gerry Feehery (1987), Jody Schultz (1986), Ron Jaworski (1985), John Spagnola (1984).
Avant, along with one player from each of the other 31 NFL teams, will be honored at the Ed Block Courage Award Banquet March 8, 2011, in Baltimore, MD. For more information on this award and the banquet, please contact the Ed Block office at (410-821-6252) or log on to www.EdBlock.org.
He deserves it. The way he has throws his body around on special teams and goes across the middle tells me he needs a wheelbarrow to carry his balls around with him, to say nothing about his story growing up, etc. Happy Christmas to everyone.
Congratulations to Jason Avant, who is one of my favorite Eagle players and is very deserving..
He is a Professional in every sense of the word, a hard-worker, team player who plays hard in whatever role he is asked to do and at the best of his abilities, he’s also an excellent mentor to the other young
WR’s & Players on this Team.. Excellent choice…
Avant’s made it knows since he was rookie who his Savior was and has been glorifying Christ from the get-go. It was awesome to think of that locker room with him and Dawk in there. My wife and I have a similar background and we’ve been rooting for him since day 1. He’s her personal favorite on the team (I can’t find a female Avant jersey anywhere!). It’s great to see a truly humble man that honors the King, doing the Lord’s work, be honored.